Heloise: Replace worn tires

Dear Readers: Do you know how long you should wait before buying new tires? Several factors go into determining whether you need new tires, not just wear or time. Here are some hints on what to consider:

Tires are considered worn out when the tread depth reaches 1/16th of an inch. To easily measure this, insert a penny with Lincoln’s head down. If the top of Lincoln’s head is visible, the tread is too low. It’s time for new tires!

Another important factor is age. Most manufacturers recommend (regardless of wear) that tires be replaced every five to six years. Over time, the rubber deteriorates and can cause the tire to fail. To find the manufacture date, check the sidewall. There is a four-digit number. For example, 4611 means that the tires were produced the 46th week of 2011. — Heloise

Readers, please see the letter below for another safety hint.

Dear Heloise: On a trip to a major theme park, I lost my rental-car keys. Luckily, I had taken a picture of the car and license plate with my cellphone.

I showed the picture to the agent at the lost-and-found desk, and she was quickly able to identify my keys.

The key chain indicated the make and license-plate number. Thank you for making life a little easier — one hint at a time. — Joan, via email

Dear Heloise: Whenever I schedule doctor appointments (or any kind, for that matter) for myself or my son, I always try to schedule for as soon as the office opens.

As the day goes on, it seems like doctors tend to get more and more behind. Completely understandable, as patients often require extra attention, etc.

By scheduling first thing in the morning, the tendency for the doctor to be behind is lessened, and the shorter the wait time is for me.

This is helpful when you have a small child who has a hard time sitting still for very long. — Busy Mom, via email

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 210-HELOISE or email it to heloise@heloise.com.